The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-30
BEECHER AS A CHAPLAIN.
BY COL. DAVID E. AUSTEN.

On the 18th of July, 1877, the writer
was elected colonel of the Thirteenth
Regiment, Second Division, of the Ma
tional Guard of the State Of New York.
The regiment had been greatly reduced
in numbers, but the men composing it
were earnest, active workers, full of spirit
and enthusiasm. An attempt was made
to increase the size and efficiency OF the
organization, and the first step was to
constitute staff adapted to the require
ments of the service and to give us pop
ularity. Among many questions, this one
came up: Whom could we find for chap
lain, to aid in securing for the regiment a
! high standing? My wife heard this ques-
ton, and, with woman's intuition, her
prompt reply was, "Why, Beecher, of
course" The suggestion was accepted
at venture. Some of Mr.. Beecher's
friends were consulted, and the tender
was officially made on the 10Th of Jan-
uary, 1878.
Mr.. Beecher's first participation in a
parade Of the regiment was on the occa-
sion of an escort TO Post Rankin No. 10
of the Grand Army of the Republic, and
to participate in the decoration of the
Martyrs Tomb, at Fort Green, on Thurs
day. May 80, 1878.
Mr.. Beecher had secured spirited
horse, which [ had been advised was
Kentucky thoroughbred, and which he
proposed to ride. In reply to suggestion
made by me that he might have trouble
in the control of so spirited a steed, Mr..
Beecher said that he could "stand any
demonstration, as long as the horse was
pleased to enjoy himself"
The order to march was given, the
drums rolled out their first notes, and the
horse, unused to such martial sounds,
reared and plunged 30 that | made an
effort to have the music stopped. But
Mr.. Beeeher himself Immediately dis
countenanced it. The Plymouth pastor
firmly held his seat, his horsemanship
exciting general admiration. He soon
brought the steed under complete control,
and in passing me, on the way to his
place in the staff line, he said, quietly, "I
guess this horse was unaware of the fact
that l had my training in Indiana. Out
there, when went to visit my parishion.
ers, in my younger days, / didn't follow
the roads, and the rail fences didn't stand
in my way. The horse knows all that
now, and will march in line in proper
order"
Our chaplain was right. His bold Keu-
lucky thoroughbred had been instantly
and utterly subdued. Not once again dill
the animal leave the line; but the FIRE of
his eyes showed that it was the master
mind aud master hand alone that held
him under control.
On the march, the rain began to fall,
and, apprehensiYe of Mr.. Beecher's health,
1 urged him to leave the line and return
home. Are you going to leave?" he
inquired; and when replied in the neg
alive, he said: "a soldier desert his
first parade? Oh, mol never do any
OhAhS ~ haif0S. nave onlAStou lot tne
war, and my maiden battle must be
fought out, even if the big drum has
burstedl" (The drum-head of the irma-
ment seemed to be broken just then, and
the rain had caused the heads of all the
drums in the band and in the field music
to burst, and the drummers were beating
The marches on the shells.)-North Amgr-
lean ReuielC.